DGWAYOFLIFE Fall/Winter Edition

DG FASHION

Summer has ended and it is time for autumn and to prepare for winter. That means retiring the shorts and tanks and fill your closets with staple pieces that will ensure success in the style department and surely keep you warm during the colder months.

Here is a couple go to autumn/winter layering combinations that will surely allow you to stand out from the crowd and most definitely have you well equipped to beat the elements.

Roll Neck/Overcoat

The roll neck has become a true menswear go-to piece that every male should invest in while trying to combat the rough weather conditions throughout the autumn/winter seasons. I will go as far as saying, if you add one knit to your wardrobe this autumn/winter, it most definitely has to be the roll neck.

Suave, elegant and the go-to piece if you just want to keep it simple and hassle-free. Do not bother with the buttoned cuffs and make the roll neck the alternative to a shirt. And if you really want to turn heads, pair the roll neck with an overcoat which will give you a smart and sophisticated look that will put you on top of the fashion game.

You can bring the look together by considering going with a camel overcoat with burnt orange knit (roll neck)

T-shirt/Denim/Overcoat  

If you fancy enough and want to take your layering game to the next level, try mixing two very different pieces together. Let me tell ya, this is no easy task and if done the right way you can be well on your way to becoming America's next top fashion stylist (LoL). In all seriousness, there is a certain level of precision needed. What I mean by this is everything from the fabric thickness to the cut has to be the perfect balance for you to be able to pull this look off.

For example, you can start with a simple classic t-shirt and add a SLIM-CUT denim jacket avoiding chunky cut denim designs as these will hinder the look altogether. The overcoat should minimal in both design and weight. If you’re not an overcoat type of fella do not worry, you can substitute the overcoat for a lightweight trench coat that will have the same effect.

Coat/Fall suit

I cannot say it enough fit, fit, and fit. A $60 dollar suit will always and I mean ALWAYS look better than a $5,000 dollar suit you buy straight off the rack. The suit jacket should be well tailored to the point where the coat will pair perfectly when thrown into the mix.

Wear your suit jacket to the store. If you are going to be test driving a coat, you should be testing it out with the suit jacket you are going to wearing with it. A coat may look great with a t-shirt or sweater, but look totally different with the suit jacket.

After you pick a coat of your choosing, walk around to get a good feel for it. Do what you would normally do on a daily basis such as bending, reaching and even crossing your arms to see how it feels. If you cannot do these simple everyday activities without passing out or ripping your clothes thin it is time to go a size up in the coat department or find a different coat with a more forgiving cut.

Dedrick Ward

Personal Stylist
dward2709@gmail.com

DG GROOMING

Don't Neglect the Essentials

Grooming is just as important as what you wear. When it comes to facial hair keep it well groomed. You never want to be seen looking like a cave man who looks as if he has been out of touch with the real world.  When you really think about it, the face is the first thing people see. Considering this, it's important to properly maintain your facial hair.  Keep cleanly shaved or keep your beard trimmed. DG Grooming Essentials is a great place to start for the distinguished gentlemen looking for awesome grooming products.

FEATURED PRODUCTS OF THE MONTH

DG EATS

Are you looking for the perfect dish for the fall and winter, then look no further.  Check out this recipe for the best Gumbo you have ever had!

New Orleans Creole Gumbo

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup bacon drippings
• 1 cup coarsely chopped celery
• 1 large onion, coarsely chopped
• 1 large green bell pepper, coarsely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 pound andouille sausage, sliced
• 3 quarts water
• 6 cubes beef bouillon
• 1 tablespoon white sugar
• salt to taste
• 2 tablespoons hot pepper sauce (such as Tabasco(R)), or to taste
• 1/2 teaspoon Cajun seasoning blend (such as Tony Chachere's(R)), or to taste

• 4 bay leaves
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
• 1 (14.5 ounce) can stewed tomatoes
• 1 (6 ounce) can tomato sauce
• 2 teaspoons gumbo file powder
• 2 tablespoons bacon drippings
• 2 (10 ounce) packages frozen cut okra, thawed
• 2 tablespoons distilled white vinegar
• 1 pound lump crabmeat
• 3 pounds uncooked medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 2 teaspoons gumbo file powder

Directions

1. Make a roux by whisking the flour and 3/4 cup bacon drippings together in a large, heavy saucepan over medium-low heat to form a smooth mixture. Cook the roux, whisking constantly, until it turns a rich mahogany brown color. This can take 20 to 30 minutes; watch heat carefully and whisk constantly or roux will burn. Remove from heat; continue whisking until mixture stops cooking.
2. Place the celery, onion, green bell pepper, and garlic into the work bowl of a food processor, and pulse until the vegetables are very finely chopped. Stir the vegetables into the roux, and mix in the sausage. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium-low heat, and cook until vegetables are tender, 10 to 15 minutes. Remove from heat, and set aside.
3. Bring the water and beef bouillon cubes to a boil in a large Dutch oven or soup pot. Stir until the bouillon cubes dissolve, and whisk the roux mixture into the boiling water. Reduce heat to a simmer, and mix in the sugar, salt, hot pepper sauce, Cajun seasoning, bay leaves, thyme, stewed tomatoes, and tomato sauce. Simmer the soup over low heat for 1 hour; mix in 2 teaspoons of file gumbo powder at the 45-minute mark.
4. Meanwhile, melt 2 tablespoons of bacon drippings in a skillet, and cook the okra with vinegar over medium heat for 15 minutes; remove okra with slotted spoon, and stir into the simmering gumbo. Mix in crabmeat, shrimp, and Worcestershire sauce, and simmer until flavors have blended, 45 more minutes. Just before serving, stir in 2 more teaspoons of file gumbo powder.